Programs of Study

Nursing

Associate of Applied Science

PURPOSE: The program in Nursing is designed to provide individuals from diverse backgrounds with a lifelong commitment to learning the nursing skills and knowledge needed to serve as a member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team. Upon satisfactory completion of the program, the student will be eligible to take the licensing examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

The State Board of Nursing has the authority to deny licensure to any applicant who has violated any of the provisions of 54.1-3007 of the Code of Virginia. Any student entering the Nursing program who has committed any illegal offenses other than minor traffic violations should discuss these matters with the coordinator of the Nursing program prior to admission for clarification.

A criminal background check and drug screen are now required of all entering students and, depending on the facility, random drug screens may occur.

Inability of a student to be placed in a clinical site due to a negative background check or drug screening may result in an inability to progress in the nursing course and removal from the program.

Students who have a break in their enrollment at the college need to meet the currently published admission requirements as well as the courses identified in the current curriculum. It is recommended students meet with a nursing advisor. A non-break in enrollment is enrollment in at least one course each spring and fall for continuous progression.

Admission to the Nursing program is competitive and only a limited number of students will be accepted. Fully-qualified students will be ranked according to Kaplan Nursing Admission Test achievement, and a complete application. Due to the high demand for nurses, budget constraints, and faculty shortage, there are a limited number of seats, and the program routinely receives more applications than can be accepted. For this reason, it is imperative that applications be complete, that all procedures be followed, and that applicants prepare themselves academically to be competitive in the review process.

Application requirements are the following:

Submission of official high school transcript, GED, or certificate of completion of home schooling, and college (if applicable) transcripts to Central Admissions and Records.

Completion of one unit of high school biology with a grade of “C” or better; BIO 1 at Reynolds is the high school equivalent course.

Completion of one unit of high school chemistry with a grade of “C” or better; CHM 1 at Reynolds is the high school equivalent course.

Completion of one unit of high school or college algebra with a grade of “C” or better. MTE modules 1 through 6 at Reynolds are the equivalent of high school algebra.

Completion of Reynolds’ English and mathematics placement tests and all required developmental courses based on the test results. The English test is waived for students with credit for college English. Students must demonstrate competency in MTE 1 through MTE 3 on the math placement test or complete the identified courses on their placement test results report. Please see the information titled Placement Test Waivers in the Admission and Enrollment section of the College Catalog for other waiver criteria.

Receipt of a “C” grade or better in general education courses taken at Reynolds and any college courses transferred from another institution to meet the Nursing AAS degree’s curriculum requirements.

Completion of the Kaplan Nursing Admission Test with a reading score of at least 73 percent, math score of at least 75 percent, science score of at least 50 percent, and a writing score of at least 45 percent.

For fall 2015 application, the following are required:

Students must participate in an information session within 6 months of applying to the program. These mandatory information sessions are scheduled periodically throughout the semester. Dates and times are provided at reynolds.edu.

Admission will be ranked on Kaplan admission scores. The required math score is weighted 30 percent, the reading score is weighted 30 percent, the science score is weighted 30 percent, and the writing score is weighted 10 percent.

Students must have completed 8 credits of general education courses with a grade of “C” or above: BIO 141, SDV 100, and MTH 126. A cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required for application review.

Students are eligible for progression to the next semester at the conclusion of each course in the program based on successful completion of the prerequisite and co-requisite courses.

Non-nursing courses must be completed prior to or concurrent with the approved curriculum sequence.

Once admitted, BIO 142, PSY 230, ENG 111, ITE 115, SOC 200, and a humanities/fine arts elective must be completed prior to or within the identified semester with the co-requisite nursing courses.

A minimum grade of “C” is required in each course within the program of study. Students receiving less than “C” in a general education course will be unable to continue in the Nursing program until the grade requirement is met.

For spring 2016 application, the following are required:

Students must participate in an information session within 6 months of applying to the program. These mandatory information sessions are scheduled periodically throughout the semester. Dates and times are provided at reynolds.edu.

Admission will be ranked on Kaplan admission scores. The required math score is weighted 30 percent, the reading score is weighted 30 percent, the science score is weighted 30 percent, and the writing score is weighted 10 percent.

Students must have completed 8 credits of general education courses with a grade of “C” or above: BIO 141, SDV 100, and MTH 126. A cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required for application review.

Students are eligible for progression to the next semester at the conclusion of each course in the program based on successful completion of the prerequisite and co-requisite courses.

Non-nursing courses must be completed prior to or concurrent with the approved curriculum sequence.

Once admitted, BIO 142, PSY 230, ENG 111, ITE 115, SOC 200, and a humanities/fine arts elective must be completed prior to or within the identified semester with the co-requisite nursing courses.

A minimum grade of “C” is required in each course within the program of study. Students receiving less than “C” in a general education course will be unable to continue in the Nursing program until the grade requirement is met.

Qualified applicants who were not admitted may reapply for admission to the Nursing AAS degree.

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS REQUIREMENTS: Students entering the Nursing program must possess the following functional skills:

Sufficient hearing to communicate with patients and members of a health care delivery team, monitor patients using electronic equipment, hear necessary sounds during operation of equipment, and hear a patient whispering.

Satisfactory speaking, reading, and writing skills to effectively communicate in English in a timely manner.

Sufficient bilateral finger dexterity to manipulate equipment.

Ability to lift, stoop, or bend in the delivery of safe nursing care.

Satisfactory physical strength and endurance to be on one’s feet for extended periods and to move immobile patients.

Satisfactory intellectual and emotional functioning to ensure patient safety and to exercise independent judgment and discretion in performing assigned tasks.

Application Deadlines for Entry into NUR 111:

For spring class, 4th Monday in September of each year, by 4 p.m.

For fall class, 3rd Monday in May of each year, by 4 p.m.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT OPTIONS: Applicants for advanced placement in the Nursing program are required to meet all admission requirements. LPNs and transfer students who have completed one semester of a clinical nursing course are eligible for advanced placement:

Transfer students from other nursing programs may be accepted on a space available basis. Official high school and college transcripts must be submitted with the application along with demonstrated Kaplan achievements. Awarding credits for specific nursing courses will be determined by the Nursing Admission and Transfer Committee. Nursing transfer applicants must have a written statement indicating that they are in good standing and eligible to return to the previous institution.

EXPECTATIONS: The student is required to complete a sequence of courses and learning experiences provided at the college and selected community agencies, such as acute care (hospitals) or long-term care facilities, clinics, physicians’ offices, or comparable agencies and facilities. During these experiences, the nursing faculty will observe, monitor, and evaluate the student’s ability to achieve program outcomes through direct patient care.

CLINICAL CONTRACTS: Individual contracts are in effect with each affiliate clinical agency, and these contracts differ in requirements for students. In general, contracts include the following:

Clinical agencies reserve the right to dismiss a student from their agency at any time with due cause. This will be done with advance notice except in an emergency.

Student must wear the proper uniform.

Student must follow published hospital policies.

Student must meet health and immunizations requirements.

Student releases the facility, its agents, and its employees from any liability for any injury or death to self or damage to personal property arising out of the clinical agreement or use of the facility. (Assessment of Risk document is signed and on file once the student is accepted into the program.)

Student is financially responsible for any medical care required while in the clinical setting.

Student must have a current American Heart Association CPR BLS for Health Care Provider Certification.

Student must complete a criminal background check and drug screen, which may be repeated during the program of study.

Contracts for each agency are available in the School of Nursing and Allied Health Office in the Division Office and may be reviewed by students upon request.

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS: In addition to the regular college tuition and fees, the Nursing program requires the following:

Uniforms, Shoes, and Stethoscope

$340.00

Special Testing

$500.00

Books and Supplies

$1,500.00

Physical (student’s own physician)

$500.00

NCLEX-RN Application

$400.00

CORI and Drug Screening

$165.00

These costs are approximate and subject to change. The student should also consider transportation and parking costs for clinical assignments.

PROGRESSION THROUGH THE PROGRAM: Reynolds offers this program in affiliation with the healthcare agencies and practitioners in the communities the college serves and relies on its community affiliates to provide clinical education opportunities for its many courses. The rapid changes in healthcare law, standards of practice, technology, and content of credentialing examinations increasingly necessitate sudden changes in the program’s course content, policies, procedures, and course scheduling.

As a result, the college cannot guarantee every student continuous and uninterrupted clinical and course instruction as outlined in the printed catalog curriculum for this program. Circumstances beyond the control of the college may necessitate the postponement of course offerings or changes in the sequencing and/or location of scheduled courses or clinical assignments. Additionally, the college may have to change the instructor for courses after instruction has started.

CONTINUATION IN THE PROGRAM:

Students must achieve a course grade of at least a “C” (80) in each nursing course and at least a “C” in each non-nursing course to progress through the Nursing AAS degree.

As of January 2014, students may take some general education courses with nursing courses. Students are eligible for progression to the next semester at the conclusion of each course in the program based on successful completion of the prerequisite and co-requisite courses.

Students who fail any two nursing courses or are not successful after two attempts (withdraw or fail) in the same course may not continue in the Nursing program.

PROGRESSION STATUS: Reynolds has entered into an implied contract with all accepted Nursing program students via the Reynolds catalog. The catalog indicates that once accepted into the Nursing program a student can complete the program within two years, assuming the student attends four consecutive semesters (summer is a session, not a semester). Continuation in the program is conditional upon those factors identified in the “Progression through the Program” statement.

Progression 1 students are those who have never failed, dropped, withdrawn, or taken a leave of absence for any reason. Progression 1 students may register for any available space in a course for which they are eligible during the assigned registration period.

Progression 2 students are those who have withdrawn, failed, or taken a leave of absence. These students have stopped program progress and will be enrolled based on a random lottery drawing for available seats. Progression 2 students will not participate in the online registration process. The Nursing AAS degree’s Promotion and Graduation Committee will place these students via a random lottery drawing into available seats. Progression 2 students will return to Progression 1 status after successful completion of the course from which they withdrew or failed.

COMPUTER COMPETENCY REQUIREMENT: Students in this program will meet the college’s computer competency requirement by successfully completing ITE 115 or CSC 155. Students can also meet this requirement by successfully passing the college’s computer competency exam, administered in the testing centers on each campus, in which case they will receive college credit for ITE 115 or CSC 155. Students not passing the computer competency exam may retake the exam only once.

PROGRAM ACCREDITATION: The program is approved by the Virginia State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing may be contacted at 3343 Peachtree Rd. NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, GA 30326; (404) 975-5000.

* This course is included in the Pre-Nursing Career Studies Certificate.

1 Students planning on pursing a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing are advised to talk to their advisor about taking MTH 240 instead of MTH 126.

2 For a list of approved humanities/fine arts electives, see the list of approved general education electives (humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences, mathematics, science, and personal wellness) provided in the General Education section of the College Catalog under Curriculum Planning and Design.

Notes: Each semester must be taken in sequence; however, general education courses within a semester must be completed prior to or concurrent with the identified curriculum sequence. Nursing students interested in continuing on to a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN) should consult with a Nursing advisor.

PURPOSE: The LPN to AAS degree in Nursing - Advanced Placement Option is designed to provide LPNs the opportunity to earn an AAS degree in Nursing. Upon satisfactory completion of the program outcomes, the graduate will be eligible to make application to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam to become a Registered Nurse.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: General college curricular admission

PROGRAM NOTES: The State Board of Nursing has the authority to deny licensure to any applicant who has violated any of the provisions of 54.1-3007 of the Code of Virginia. Any student entering the Nursing program who has committed any illegal offenses other than minor traffic violations should discuss these matters with the coordinator of the Nursing program prior to admission for clarification. A criminal background check and drug screen are required of all entering students. Inability of a student to be placed in a clinical site due to a negative background check will result in removal from the program. Reynolds offers part-time and full-time advanced placement options that lead to an AAS degree in Nursing. The evening/weekend option anticipates an admission cycle of every 12 months. The evening/weekend option is structured for a student to progress sequentially over a two-year period. This option was established to facilitate the student who has family and employment obligations and seeks a student commitment of approximately 10 to 14 hours per week of class and clinical experiences. The full-time option is offered during the day and typically admits students in the spring and fall. This option is designed for students who do not have to work full-time and can be completed in two academic years (four semesters).

ADDITIONAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must present evidence of an unencumbered/unrestricted license as a practical nurse in the state of Virginia. This status must be maintained throughout the student’s enrollment in the program. Upon satisfaction of the additional admission requirements listed below, students may apply to the LPN to Nursing AAS degree - Advanced Placement Option:

Submission of official high school transcript, GED, or certificate of completion of home schooling, and college (if applicable) transcripts to Central Admissions and Records.

Completion of one unit of high school biology with a grade of “C” or better; BIO 1 at Reynolds is the high school equivalent course.

Completion of one unit of high school chemistry with a grade of “C” or better; CHM 1 at Reynolds is the high school equivalent course.

Completion of one unit of high school or college algebra with a grade of “C” or better. MTE modules 1 through 6 at Reynolds are the equivalent of high school algebra.

Completion of Reynolds’ English and mathematics placement tests and all required developmental courses based on the test results. The English placement tests are waived for students with credit for college English. Students must demonstrate competency in MTE 1 through MTE 3 on the math placement test or complete the identified courses on their placement test results report. Please see the information titled Placement Test Waivers in the Admission and Enrollment section of the College Catalog for other waiver criteria.

Receipt of a “C” grade or better in all general education courses taken at Reynolds and any college courses transferred from another institution to meet the Nursing curriculum requirements.

Completion of the Kaplan Nursing Admission Test with a reading score of at least 73 percent, math score of at least 75 percent, science score of at least 50 percent, and writing score of at least 45 percent.

For spring 2016 application, the following are required:

Students must participate in an information session within 6 months of applying to the program. These mandatory information sessions are scheduled periodically throughout the semester. Dates and times are provided at reynolds.edu.

Admission will be ranked on Kaplan admission scores. The required math score is weighted 30 percent, the reading score is weighted 30 percent, the science score is weighted 30 percent, and the writing score is weighted 10 percent.

Students must have completed 8 credits of general education courses with a grade of “C” or above: BIO 141, SDV 100, and MTH 126. A cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required for application review.

Students are eligible for progression to the next semester at the conclusion of each course in the program based on successful completion of the prerequisite and co-requisite courses.

Non-nursing courses must be completed prior to or concurrent with the approved curriculum sequence.

Once admitted, BIO 142, PSY 230, ENG 111, ITE 115, SOC 200, and a humanities/fine arts elective must be completed prior to or within the identified semester with the co-requisite nursing courses.

A minimum grade of “C” is required in each course within the program of study. Students receiving less than “C” in a general education course will be unable to continue in the Nursing program until the grade requirement is met.

Students must provide evidence of an unrestricted LPN license in Virginia.

Qualified applicants who were not admitted may reapply for admission to the Nursing AAS degree program.

Note: If applying to more than one program a separate application is required for each.

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS REQUIREMENTS: Students entering the LPN to AAS in Nursing - Advanced Placement Option must possess the following functional skills:

Sufficient hearing to communicate with patients and members of a health care delivery team, monitor patients using electronic equipment, hear necessary sounds during operation of equipment, and hear a patient whispering.

Satisfactory speaking, reading, and writing skills to effectively communicate in English in a timely manner.

Sufficient bilateral finger dexterity to manipulate equipment.

Ability to lift, stoop, or bend in the delivery of safe nursing care.

Satisfactory physical strength and endurance to be on one’s feet for extended periods and to move immobile patients.

Satisfactory intellectual and emotional functioning to ensure patient safety and to exercise independent judgment and discretion in performing assigned tasks.

APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR ENTRY INTO NUR 115:

Part-time option: 4th Monday in September of each year.

Full-time option for spring semester: 4th Monday in September of each year.

Full-time option for fall semester: 3rd Monday in May of each year.

EXPECTATIONS: The student is required to complete a sequence of courses and learning experiences provided at the college and selected community agencies, such as acute care (hospitals), rehabilitation or long-term care facilities, clinics, physicians’ offices, or comparable agencies and facilities. During these experiences, the Nursing faculty will observe, monitor, and evaluate the student’s ability to achieve program outcomes through direct patient care experiences.

CLINICAL CONTRACTS: Individual contracts are in effect with each affiliate clinical agency, and these contracts differ in requirements for students. In general, contracts include the following:

Clinical agencies reserve the right to dismiss a student from their agency at any time with due cause. This will be done with advance notice except in an emergency.

Student must wear the proper uniform.

Student must follow published hospital policies.

Students must meet health and immunizations requirements.

Student releases the facility, its agents, and its employees from any liability for any injury or death to self or damage to personal property arising out of the clinical agreement or use of the facility. (Assessment of Risk document is signed and on file once accepted into the program.)

Student is financially responsible for any medical care required while in the clinical setting.

Student must have a current American Heart Association CPR BLS for Health Care Provider Certification.

Student must complete a criminal background check and drug screen which may be repeated during the program of study.

Contracts for each agency are available in the School of Nursing and Allied Health Office in the Division Office and may be reviewed by students upon request.

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS: In addition to the regular college tuition and fees, the Nursing program requires the following:

Books and Supplies

$1,500.00

Uniforms, Shoes, and Stethoscope

$340.00

Special Testing

$500.00

Physical (student’s own physician)

$500.00

NCLEX-RN Application

$400.00

CORI and Drug Screening

$165.00

These costs are approximate and subject to change. The student should also consider transportation and parking costs for clinical assignments.

COMPUTER COMPETENCY REQUIREMENT: Students in this program will meet the college’s computer competency requirement by successfully completing ITE 115 or CSC 155. Students can also meet this requirement by successfully passing the college’s computer competency exam, administered in the testing centers on each campus, in which case they will receive college credit for ITE 115 or CSC 155. Students not passing the computer competency exam may retake the exam only once.

PROGRAM ACCREDITATION: The advanced placement option is approved by the Virginia State Board of Nursing.

4 For approved humanities/fine arts electives, see the list of approved general education electives (humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences, mathematics, science, and personal wellness) provided in the General Education section of the College Catalog under Curriculum Planning and Design.

5 NUR 246 must be taken after successful completion of NUR 247.

6 Students having an unrestricted license as an LPN in Virginia will receive 5 credits by able for NUR 111.